Kava Beverage Brewing Method and Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for brewing kava beverage. Using the apparatus and method, kava beverage is brewed by filling a hollow two-piece spherical structure with extremely fine mesh screens with kava. The filled apparatus is placed in a shaker bottle filled with liquid and is shaken vigorously, extracting the kavalactones from the root into the liquid, creating the kava beverage. This method of brewing kava beverage is quicker and simpler than traditional methods of brewing kava beverage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Ser.No. 62/150,664 filed Apr. 21, 2015.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a beverage made from the roots of theKava plant (Piper methysticum), often referred to as Kava.

Kava originated in the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia. Kava issedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mentalclarity. It is commonly used by people to treat insomnia and socialanxiety.

The traditional method for brewing kava involves taking kava root(powdered, pressed, ground or shredded) and placing it into fine bagsconstructed of muslin, cheese cloths, and fine nylon. These material areused for the bags because they have fine pores that entrain the kavaroot inside them. Traditional tea balls and tea bags are not sufficientbecause the kava root is finer than tea leaves used for brewing tea andwill infiltrate into the kava beverage.

The filled bags are placed in the beverage medium of choice and allowedto seep for several minutes minimum. The beverage medium must be cool orlukewarm. Hot beverage must not be used because the high temperaturedestroys kava root's main active ingredients known as kavalactones.

Once you let your filled bags seep in the beverage medium, the bags areremoved and kneaded or squeezed to remove all of the liquid from the bagtypically into a large bowl. The kavalactones are not water soluble, sothey need to be compressed in order to be extracted from the root. Thekneading/squeezing process will extract the kavalactones from the rootinto the liquid. The liquid collected in the bowl is the kava that willbe consumed, and the bag and residual kava root is disposed of.

This method of brewing has numerous drawbacks. The first drawback of thebrewing method is that the process is inefficient. In order to create akava, the brewer will need prepare the tea in an intermediary largerbowl, and then transfer the extracted tea from the bowl into a cup whereit will be ultimately consumed. Removal of the need for the intermediarybowl from the process would make for a more efficient brewing process.

Another drawback of the brewing method is that the process is messy.During the kneading or squeezing procedure, either the hands of thebrewer will get coated in the tea, likely requiring the brewer to washtheir hands after brewing, or the brewer will need to wear gloving thatwill be disposed of after brewing the tea. Creating a brewing processthat would remove the need for the brewer to wring or squeeze the teafrom the bags would be a cleaner process.

A final drawback for this brewing method is that it is not conducive torestaurant sales. Regardless of the cleanliness of the beverageprepares, there will always be a segment of the population who will beturned off from buying a beverage prepared by a food service employeewho wrings their beverage out of a bag using their bare hands or evengloved hands. Creating a brewing process that would remove the need forthe brewer to wring or squeeze the tea from the bags would likely makethe prepared kava more conducive to restaurant sales.

SUMMARY

The aim of the present invention is to provide a kava brewing methodthat removes the need for an intermediary bowl and is thereby moreefficient than the traditional method for brewing kava.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a kava brewing method thatremoves the need to knead/squeeze the kava extract from the bags,thereby making a brewing method that is cleaner than the traditionalmethod for brewing kava.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a kava brewing method thatremoves the need to knead/squeeze the kava extract from the bags therebymaking a brewing method that is more conducive to restaurant and homebrewing than the traditional method for brewing kava.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus that allows kavato be brewed in a beverage shaker eliminating the need for anintermediate bowl when brewing kava.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus that allows kavato be brewed in a strainer ball that does not require the liquid to bekneaded or squeezed out of the straining apparatus in order to extractthe kavalactones from the root into the liquid.

The kava brewing method of the current invention involves measuring andplacing a quantity of kava root into a straining ball apparatus. Thefilled straining ball apparatus is then placed into a beverage shakerwith a quantity of the beverage medium.

Once the shaker has been filled with the beverage medium and thestraining ball apparatus, the shaker is agitated by shaking the shaker.When the beverage medium flows through the straining ball apparatus, thekava roots will repeatedly crash into the strainer, creating a similareffect that the kneading and squeezing has in the traditional brewingmethod, extracting the kavalactones from the kava root into the beveragemedium creating a kava.

The strainer apparatus of the current invention involves a two hollowhemi-spheres that form a singular sphere via a threaded connection. Eachsemi-sphere has a plurality of perforations that are covered by a finemesh filter. The perforations allow water to pass through the strainerball, and the mesh filter contains the kava materials inside of thestrainer apparatus when in use.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the presentinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings areillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of thepresent invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the particular embodiments of the presentinvention reference may be made to the following drawings exemplary ofthe invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a detailed cross sectional drawing of the strainer ballapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view drawing depicting how to fill andseal the strainer apparatus with kava.

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross sectional drawing depicting and assembled andfilled shaker bottle for brewing kava.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view drawing of the alternateembodiment of the invention depicting how to fill and seal the strainerapparatus with kava and a spherical weighted object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment for a strainer apparatus 1according to the present invention includes two mating hemi-spheres 2,3. One hemisphere 2 has a male threaded connector 4 that protrudesoutwardly from the open half of the hemisphere and the other has amating female threaded connector 5 that recedes inwardly from the openhalf of the hemisphere 3.

The function of the two mating hemi-sphere 2, 3 design is that it allowsthe apparatus 1 to be opened, closed, filled with kava root 8, andemptied quickly, simply effectively. The inventor recognizes that thetwo hemisphere apparatus 1 design depicted in FIG. 1 is not critical tothe function of the apparatus 1 and that the function of opening,closing, filling, and emptying the apparatus 1 could be achieved througha multitude of designs which would be known to those skilled in the art,including, but not limited to a hinged latching hatch opening in theapparatus or hole in the apparatus with a plug in it.

Referring to FIG. 1, each hemisphere 2, 3 has a plurality of largeperforations 6. These perforations serve to allow beverage medium 10 toflow though the strainer apparatus 1 when shaken in the shaker bottle 9.The size, shape, and number of the large perforations 6 are not criticalto the invention and can vary, based on aesthetics, simplicity ofmanufacturing, etc, as long as there is enough perforation 6 surfacearea on the apparatus 1 that the there is sufficient beverage medium 10flowing through the filled apparatus 1 when it is agitated. Theperforation 6 size and shape selected for the preferred embodiment ofthe apparatus 1, depicted in FIG. 1, were selected based on aestheticsand simplicity of manufacturing, while maintaining functionality of theapparatus 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, each perforation 6 is covered by a fine mesh screen7 that has been molded into the hemisphere 1, 2. In the preferredembodiment, the mesh screen 7 is a 200 mesh, stainless steel screen.This is preferred because this mesh screen 7 is sufficiently fine tocontain the kava root 8 within the apparatus 1 and the stainless steelwill not rust after continuous contact with water. While this ispreferred, the mesh screen 7 material could be any material that hassufficiently fine pores to contain the kava root 8, and is made of amaterial that is safe for contact with food/beverages.

In the preferred embodiment the hemispheres 2, 3 of the strainerapparatus 1 are constructed of molded polycarbonate. This is preferredbecause the polycarbonate is cost effective, strong, and safe forcontact with food/beverages. While this is preferred, the hemispheres 2,3 could be constructed of a number of materials that can maintain theirshape during use and are safe for contact with food/beverages, such asstainless steel.

In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the straining apparatus 1 is around sphere. This is preferred because the shape allows for evendistribution of compressive forces against the kava root 8 while theball is shaken in a beverage medium 10. While this is preferred, theshape of the apparatus 1 could also be a geodesic structure closelyresembling a sphere.

Referring to FIGS. 2 & 3, the preferred embodiment of the method of thepresent invention requires the following components: (1) a shaker bottle9, (2) a strainer ball apparatus 1, (3) kava root 8, and (4) beveragemedium 10.

Water is the preferred beverage medium 10 for extracting thekavalactones from the kava root 8, however, any number of beveragemediums 10 could be used to extract the kavalactones. Water was chosenas the preferred beverage medium 10 due to its low calorie count andit's readily availability. However, in the Pacific Ocean cultures ofPolynesia, oftentimes milk, a solution of milk and water, or other fattybeverage mediums are used in place of water. The fat in these beveragemediums are capable of extracting the kavalactones from the kava root 8more efficiently than water alone. However, the resulting tea will havea greater calorie and fat content and therefore is not considered thepreferred beverage medium 10 for the method.

Referring to FIG. 2 the method of the present invention for brewing akava beverage involves measuring the desired amount of kava root 8,dispensing it into one of the hemispheres 2, 3 of the strainingapparatus 1, and then sealing closed the straining apparatus by twistingthe two threaded connectors 4, 5. Secondly, the desired amount ofbeverage medium 10 is added to the shaker 9. Referring to FIG. 3, thefilled straining apparatus is then submerged into the filled shaker andthe shaker is sealed closed. The shaker is then agitated vigorously fora period of time, and then the liquid contents of the shaker istransferred into a drinking apparatus such as a cup for consumption.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a beverage shaker 9 is usedas a vessel hold and agitate the filled filter apparatus 1 and beveragemedium 10. The typical beverage shaker 9 will be comprised of a cup-likestructure 12 for holding the beverage medium 10 and straining apparatus1, and a lid 13 for sealing the top of the cup-like structure. The lid13 will also comprise a separate seal-able opening 14 and lid 15 thatwill allow the brewed kava beverage to be transferred from shaker 9,while still containing the strainer apparatus 1 to the beverage shaker9. The beverage shaker 9 was chosen as the preferred vessel because itis simple to use and are readily available. However, any vessel whichcan hold the volume of the beverage medium 10 and strainer apparatus 1and can be sealed and shaken vigorously can be used in its place.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the strainer apparatus 1used in the brewing method is the straining apparatus 1 of the presentinvention. This apparatus 1 is preferred because it is reusable, thetherefore more eco-friendly, and because the additional weight of thereusable strainer apparatus 1 increases the compressive forces generatedwhile shaking the shaker 9, therefore extracting more of thekavalactones from the root into the liquid. While this is preferred, thestraining apparatus 1 could be replaced with a disposable, sealed filterbag filled with kava root 8, such as muslin, cheese cloth, or fine nylonbag. While this would not be as effective or eco-friendly, it doesprovide the advantage of being disposable and therefore eliminating theneed for cleaning.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, atleast one weighted, corrosion resistant, spherical object 11 is placeinside of the strainer apparatus 1 in with the kava 9. In the preferredembodiment a stainless steel ball is used for the weighted object 11 dueto its high density, corrosion resistance, and cost efficiency. Thisweighted sphere 11 could be replaced with a sphere of similar physicalproperties, such as ceramics or porcelain.

The weighted sphere(s) 11 serves to increases the pressure exerted onthe kava 8 when the shaker 9 is agitated. When shaken, the weightedsphere(s) 11 will collide with the walls of the strainer apparatus 1exerting significantly more force on the kava 8 trapped between thesphere 11 and wall of the strainer apparatus than would otherwise beexerted without the addition of the weighted sphere(s) 11. Exerting moreforce on the kava 8 will increase the efficiency of the brewing process,thereby reducing the amount of time required to agitate the shaker 9 orincreasing the potency of the resulting kava beverage.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. All suchmodifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A kava beverage brewing apparatus for rapidlybrewing kava beverage, said apparatus comprising a spherical structurecapable of containing a supply of kava root, said structure beingsubmersible in a liquid to effect brewing of said kava, structurallysupported to withstand being vigorously shaken inside of a larger shakerdevice while submerged in a liquid, capable of being opened, closed, andsealed to allow the addition and removal of kava, containing a pluralityof perforations that are covered by a fine mesh screen capable ofconfining the kava inside the spherical structure.
 2. The kava beveragebrewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said opening, closing,and sealing functionality is achieved by dividing the sphericalstructure into two separate hemispheres which have mating connectionswhich allow the facilitate opening, closing, and sealing.
 3. The kavabeverage brewing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said matingconnections are male and female threaded connectors.
 4. The kavabeverage brewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fine meshscreen is constructed of wire mesh with mesh size 200 or finer.
 5. Thekava beverage brewing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said finemesh screen is constructed of stainless steel.
 6. The kava beveragebrewing assembly according to claim 1, wherein said spherical structureis comprised of two hemispheres constructed of a corrosion resistantmaterial with mating threaded connections containing a plurality oflarger perforations that are covered by a 200 mesh or finer, stainlesssteel mesh screen.
 7. A kava beverage brewing assembly for rapidlybrewing kava beverage, said assembly comprising: a spherical structurecapable of containing a supply of kava root, said structure beingsubmersible in a liquid to effect brewing of said kava, structurallysupported to withstand being vigorously shaken inside of a larger shakerdevice while submerged in a liquid, capable of being opened, closed, andsealed to allow the addition and removal of kava, containing a pluralityof perforations that are covered by a fine mesh screen capable ofconfining the kava inside the spherical structure; a means for brewingthe kava beverage which will contain the aforementioned sphericalstructure and beverage medium.
 8. The kava beverage brewing assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein said means for brewing the kava beverageis a beverage shaker with removable top and secondary smaller lid whichis capable of being filled with sufficient brewing medium and theaforementioned spherical structure and shaken vigorously.
 9. The kavabeverage brewing assembly according to claim 7, wherein said sphericalstructure is comprised of two hemispheres constructed of corrosionresistant materials with mating threaded connections containing aplurality of larger perforations that are covered by a 200 mesh orfiner, stainless steel mesh screen.
 10. The kava beverage brewingassembly according to claim 9, wherein said means for brewing the kavabeverage is a beverage shaker with removable top and secondary smallerlid which is capable of being filled with sufficient brewing medium andthe aforementioned spherical structure and shaken vigorously.
 11. Thekava beverage brewing assembly according to claim 7, further comprisingat least one weighted, corrosion resistant, spherical object which canbe placed inside of the spherical structure along with the kava toaccelerate and increase the efficiency of the brewing process.
 12. Thekava beverage brewing assembly according to claim 11, wherein saidspherical structure is comprised of two hemispheres constructed ofcorrosion resistant materials with mating threaded connectionscontaining a plurality of larger perforations that are covered by a 200mesh or finer, stainless steel mesh screen.
 13. The kava beveragebrewing assembly according to claim 12, wherein said means for brewingthe kava beverage is a beverage shaker with removable top and secondarysmaller lid which is capable of being filled with sufficient brewingmedium and the aforementioned spherical structure and shaken vigorously.14. A method of brewing a kava beverage, comprising the steps of:providing an a filter apparatus filled with kava root; placing thefilter apparatus into a means for brewing the kava beverage which willcontain the aforementioned spherical structure and beverage medium;filling the aforementioned means for brewing the kava beverage with abrewing medium; securing the cap on the aforementioned means; vigorouslyagitating the means for brewing the kava beverage for a period of time,extracting the kavalactones from the kava root into the beverage medium.15. The method of brewing a kava beverage as recited in claim 14,wherein said filter apparatus is comprised of a spherical structurecapable of containing a supply of kava root, said structure beingsubmersible in a liquid to effect brewing of said kava, structurallysupported to withstand being vigorously shaken inside of a larger shakerdevice while submerged in a liquid, capable of being opened, closed, andsealed to allow the addition and removal of kava, containing a pluralityof perforations that are covered by a fine mesh screen capable ofconfining kava inside the spherical structure.
 16. The method of brewinga kava beverage as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for brewingthe kava beverage is comprised of a beverage shaker with removable topand secondary smaller lid which is capable of being filled withsufficient brewing medium and the aforementioned spherical structure andshaken vigorously.
 17. The method of brewing a kava beverage as recitedin claim 16, wherein at least one smaller weighted spherical structureis placed inside the filter apparatus along with the kava root.
 18. Themethod of brewing a kava beverage as recited in claim 14, wherein thefilter apparatus is a disposable, sealed filter bag filled with kavaroot, capable of containing the kava to the filter bag.
 19. The methodof brewing a kava beverage as recited in claim 18, wherein at least onesmaller weighted spherical structure is placed inside the filterapparatus along with the kava root.